The next day, within the empty cave containing two silhouettes and a flickering campfire.

"Alright, it's time to give it another try." Hua Taixu sat cross-legged, his new pair of white robes flapping in the bitter wind. He was gazing at the wild youth in front of him, the boy named Wang Li.

"I'm ready, Grandpa Taixu. Tell me how to cultivate." The youth was indeed eager, wearing a simple blue shirt and shorts - revealing his rigorous and vibrant body. Though he didn't possess much muscle, each one was clear and brimming with energy. This was another one of his wonderous traits, without even possessing a Body Transformation cultivation his body could already compare with cultivators at the Third Level! His natural body spent years and years in the forest, it was already difficult for cultivators to compare with him!

"Good. Listen clearly, cultivation is split into different realms and ranks. Each realm and rank is incomparable to the previous, each possessing their own incredible power. The first realm, which you will be starting at, is Body Transformation." Hua Taixu spoke slowly and clearly, breaking down the process to Wang Li.

"Body Transformation is just as it sounds, the transformation of the body. Using surrounding Qi, a cultivator tempers their body and allows their body to break through their previous limits. It is split into nine ranks, with a large boundary every three ranks. This is the very first stage of cultivation." Hua Taixu thought back to his days at Body Transformation, how it seemed like so long ago. To a master of his level, a Body Cultivation expert wasn't anything worth mentioning.

"Then how do I absorb this Qi, and what exactly is Qi?" Wang Li inquired. He had to use this Qi to temper his body, where would he find it?

"There are many different types and forms of Qi. There is natural Heaven and Earth Qi, which flows around us in our natural surroundings. This is the most prevalent kind of energy and can be drawn in it at any time. Of course, certain places and holy ranges will have countless times more Qi than normal areas - this is where cultivation is best performed. Not to mention, there is Qi within all kinds of spirit grass, fruits, and pills. These are much more purified and stronger than typical Heaven and Earth Qi."

"At Body Transformation, you'll take in this surrounding Qi and infuse it into your body. You'll start with your skin for the first three levels. To absorb this Qi - you'll need a cultivation method or breathing methods."

"Cultivation Method?"

"Yes, a method that allows you to in Qi and use it in mysterious ways. They are extremely precious, and usually, have Martial Skills underneath them - ways of attacking and defending with Qi. But you will all learn this later - first you might get the hang of absorbing Qi." Hua Taixu didn't want to explain everything, after all, once Wang Li went to the Sect he could read and learn all about the small dynamics of cultivation. What was important he has understood the basics - absorbing Qi!

"Now listen here, I'm going to give you a method of absorbing Qi. Remember, how quickly you absorb Qi is completely separate from the method you use. Even a heaven-shattering cultivation method is useless in the hands of someone with poor talent." Hua Taixu got up from his cross-legged position, leaving a simple manual behind. He walked across the cave to where the Thunderhawk was, leaving Wang Li behind.

In truth, the simple looking manual was simple. It was the basic cultivation method for absorbing Qi - as standard as it gets. 

One may have expected Hua Taixu to leave him with some strong or superior cultivation method, but in actuality, Elder Taixu wanted Wang Li to form a solid foundation. He had to understand the fundamentals before diving into deeper methods.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Plus, in Body Transformation, fancy cultivation methods wouldn't make much of a difference. The only point where methods became vital was in the second realm - Qi Foundation!

And so Wang Li picked up the simple leather cover book. He wasn't offset by the ordinary nature of the book, as he was already extremely interested in cultivation. He too wanted to be like Hua Taixu - commanding lightning at his fingertips!

"Qi Absorbing - Body Transformation!" Was the title of the book, though it did have a mysterious quality - as if wisps of harnessed Qi were slipping from the title. Wang Li opened the book and completely immersed himself in his reading. He forgot of where he was or what was going on, completely focusing on the book.

...

"Done!" Wang Li shut the book, setting it to the side. He grinned wildly, his mind reciting all the mantras and methods described in the seemingly ordinary book. He was truly excited to test out this theory, and so he sat down cross-legged.

His eyes closed, and temporarily reduced the rest of his senses, focusing quietly on his surroundings. Even in the empty cave, he could feel wisps of unique energy floating in the cave.

He cracked a grin, and began the next step - absorption! And from within his body, a powerful suction force roared out, absorbing the surrounding Qi at an insane rate! It was as if a dragon had opened its mouth, sucking in as much as possible!

If any normal martial artist saw this they would cough blood in shock! His speed of absorption was too fast!~

Qi followed Wang Li's command and rushed into his body, ready to infuse within Wang Li's skin - like the first three ranks of Body Transformation demanded. But just then, a strange devouring force came from deep within Wang Li - sucking all of that Qi in without a trace. It was as if the Qi never existed!

This instantly mystified Wang Li, he had known there was a problem with his dantian but hadn't seen it for himself. What was stealing his Qi?! 

He kept on absorbing more and more Qi, only for it to be sucked without a trace. The process bewildered him once more, all the way until he felt his stamina depleted and had to stop absorbing Qi.

"What's wrong with me?" Wang Li opened his eyes, only to see that white-robed Hua Taixu standing in front of him, looking at him with interest.

"All of it was absorbed, huh?" Hua Taixu broke a nervous smile - he had expected it to be like this. He had a sliver of hope that if Wang Li absorbed his own Qi it would break this mysterious spell, but he was wrong. But it at least confirmed one of his suspicions, as well as allowed him to see Wang Li's insane talent for himself.

"Do you know why this happens?" Wang Li was completely mystified, he knew that this kind of thing was strange. After all, the cultivation method mentioned no sort of "Qi Stealer".

"I don't, but I think I've got an idea. We'll have you continue eating fruits and absorbing Qi for another month or so. Then...we'll take these two," Hua Taixu revealed his two hands, in one of them was the glistening Thumping Heart Fruit, and in the other was a small shimmering yellow orb.

"What's the orb?" Wang Li's eyes widened as he looked at the orb, puzzled at what it was. He watched as occasional flashes of lightning would occur on its surface.

"This is a Demonic Core. It belongs to powerful Demonic Beasts and contains all their life energy. It's untamed energy is incomparable to these other fruits, I only want to use it after I've confirmed some other suspicions." Hua Taixu explained, grinning at Wang Li's shocked face. He loved showing strange and unique things to this adopted grandson of his.

The reason he still has yet to use a Demonic Core was due to their extreme energy! It contained all the Beast's energy and if released would simply run rampant! With fruits, the energy would be released in a calm and energizing manner, while Demonic Cores were the opposite - beserk and violent energy.

A normal Body Transformation artist could never directly absorb a Demonic Core - not to mention a normal mortal like Wang Li. Just the thought of it was crazy!

And the reason he included the Thumping Heart Fruit was because of its excellent blood effects. It could activate hidden secrets within an animals bloodline, which is why it was very valuable to Demonic Beasts. Eating one would allow a Demonic Beasts to make great strides in improving their bloodline!

Not to mention it's effects on humans. Sometimes cultivators with dormant bloodlines could have their true powers unleashed with the Fruit's mystical effects!

Hua Taixu had long suspected that Wang Li's problem stemmed from an incredible and powerful bloodline. He even suspected that he was a lost youth belonging to an annihilated clan forced to destruction.

He wanted to use the Thumping Heart Fruit to try and activate that sleeping bloodline!~